11. Austin, T.X.

M.S.A.: Austin-Round Rock, Texas
Average Annual Job Growth (2010-2012): 2.01%
Median salary: $48,200
Cost-of-living index (U.S. average is 100): 107.9
Percent of pop. with college degrees: 38.7%
1 small business for every 55 residents
1 large business for every 973 residents
Unemployment rate: 6.7%
The Texas tech hub touts one of the strongest job
growth rates of the cities on our list and a low unemployment rate.